The North Bengal University, the oldest varsity in north Bengal, has introduced bioinformatics at the post-graduation level from the current academic year.

Earlier, a diploma course was taught in bioinformatics, a subject that is fast gaining popularity among science students, at the varsity. But now, students can do MSc in the subject.

According to senior faculty members, bioinformatics is an interdisciplinary field of science that deals with biological information.

Pranab Ghosh, the NBU registrar, said the four-semester course offers a new opportunity for students of the region. “This emerging interdisciplinary field is often considered a junction between biology and computational sciences. This is a first of its kind course in north Bengal,” he added.

Varsity sources said that after doing BSc in any subject related to life science, students can apply for the two-year PG course in bioinformatics. “The department has three faculty members and 15 seats available for the post-graduation course,” said a source.

The sources said that in the syllabus of the two-year course, emphasis has been given on understanding the fundamentals of cell biology and genetics, molecular biology, biochemistry, basic bioinformatics and computer application.

An NBU official said: “For the PG course in bioinformatics, students have to pay Rs 15,000 — which will include admission and first semester fee. The fee from the second semester will be Rs 10,000 per semester.”